lead to a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"lead to a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are describing a situation in which an action or situation has caused some kind of difficulty. For example, "Her trying to do too much at once eventually led to a problem when she had to meet an important deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Scoble has disagreed with Michael in the past that FriendFeed commenting could lead to a problem.

TechCrunch

The formulation is shown to lead to a problem in constrained non-linear optimization.

Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics

Let's see how these assumptions lead to a problem in light of the negative singular existence sentence "Pegasus does not exist".

SEP

This, combined with regular heating and cooling, can lead to a problem known as "creep" - the blade slowly elongates until it begins to bite into the turbine casing.

BBC

Both these options lead to a problem that can be solved through the Lagrange multipliers method: find the extrema of some objective function O with the restrictions stated in (a) or (b).

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Existing visualization tools aim to create as simple and abstract images as possible, which can lead to a problem when significant data can be interpreted as disordered information and important connections between data units will be hidden from the user.

Journal of Big Data

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

That leads to a problem for the super, because the tenant becomes his enemy.

The New York Times

But a fix here leads to a problem there, and teachers complained that the later school day cut into equally important activities like sports, choir and drama.

The New York Times - Arts

Which leads to a problem American readers may have with this book: the tedium of meaningless names dropping to the ground.

The New York Times - Books

It leads to a problem of tone, of where exactly on the spectrum between comedy and thriller it is placing itself.

The Guardian

This leads to a problem in water saturation calculation.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lead to a problem", clearly specify the cause and effect relationship to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "Poor communication can lead to a problem", specify "Poor communication between departments can lead to a problem with project deadlines".

Common error

Avoid using "lead to a problem" in overly broad or vague statements. Vague statements lack impact and clarity. Instead, ensure specificity by clearly indicating the nature of the problem and its direct consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead to a problem" functions as a causal verb phrase. It indicates that one action or situation results in a negative outcome or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lead to a problem" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that an action or situation results in a negative consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's common in science and news media, with a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and specificity to maximize its impact. Consider alternatives like "result in an issue" or "cause complications" to add nuance, and avoid overuse in overly general statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

result in an issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue", maintaining a neutral tone.

create difficulties

Focuses on the act of creating problems or difficulties.

cause complications

Highlights the complexity and entanglement that arise from the problem.

give rise to a challenge

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the problem.

pose a risk

Highlights the potential danger or negative consequences associated with the situation.

precipitate a crisis

Indicates a more severe and urgent problem.

spark a controversy

Suggests that the problem involves public disagreement or debate.

trigger a setback

Focuses on the delay or regression caused by the issue.

generate unforeseen consequences

Highlights the unexpected and potentially negative results of the problem.

be a recipe for disaster

Suggests a high likelihood of failure or negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "lead to a problem" in a sentence?

You can use "lead to a problem" to describe a situation where a particular action or event results in difficulties or negative consequences. For example, "Ignoring safety regulations can lead to a problem with workplace accidents."

What are some alternatives to "lead to a problem"?

Some alternatives include "result in an issue", "cause complications", or "give rise to a challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lead to a problem" or "cause a problem"?

Both "lead to a problem" and "cause a problem" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, "lead to a problem" might suggest a more indirect or gradual causation, while "cause a problem" implies a more direct and immediate link.

What is the difference between "lead to a problem" and "result in a problem"?

"Lead to a problem" and "result in a problem" are often interchangeable. However, "result in a problem" may suggest a more definitive outcome, whereas "lead to a problem" might imply a potential or eventual issue.